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The Oakland A's and Gold Glove Outfielder Josh Reddick will be on hand to dedicate Richmond's new Martin Luther King Jr. Park Baseball Field.

"The local Little League teams will have a ball park that they can proudly call their home field and know that they are truly supported by the community."

Richmond, CA (PRWEB)May 31, 2014

Hundreds of children, community residents, and celebrities are turning out to celebrate the dedication ceremony of the new baseball field at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. Funded by Pacific Gas & Electric Company and the Oakland A's, in partnership with the Good Tidings Foundation, the new ball field has been renovated so that Richmond's Little League Program will have a nice place to play.

This renovation represents the next step in a multi-phased project to revitalize the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and the surrounding area through the Nystrom United Revitalization Effort (NURVE). The football/soccer field was completed in 2010 with grants from the NFL Grassroots Foundation in partnership with the Oakland Raiders, the Richmond Community Foundation, the City of Richmond, and Bay Area LISC.

"The completion of the new field is an important step for the Nystrom United Revitalization Effort (NURVE)," stated Jim Becker, President and CEO of the Richmond Community Foundation. "The local Little League teams will have a ball park that they can proudly call their home field and know that they are truly supported by the community." Becker said.

"The partnership with local youth, NURVE partners, community residents, the Oakland A's, PG&E and the Good Tidings Foundation made the field's renovation possible," said Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin. She continued, "The City of Richmond is excited that this phase of the park is now complete."

Joe Fisher, President of the Coronado Neighborhood Council, is thrilled. "This is absolutely GREAT! We have waited a long time for this moment," said Fisher. Fisher went on to say, "Having participated in the dedication of the football/soccer field, makes this renovation that much more satisfying."

Larry Lewis, Executive Director of the Richmond Police Activities League, said "Our children deserve a field of this caliber. I am so grateful to the City of Richmond, the Richmond Community Foundation, the Oakland A's, PG&E as well as the Good Tidings Foundation for making this possible."

Vernon Whitmore, President of the Santa Fe Neighborhood Council, said "This new baseball field will complement the new football/soccer field very nicely and provide a place for residents to participate in wholesome family activities in our neighborhood."

Following the dedication ceremony (12:00pm - 12:15pm), Outfielder Josh Reddick from the Oakland A's will lead a clinic for local Little League players. "Shooty" Babitt will serve as the MC for this event.